OBV graduate Colette Williams to host RACE AND RACISM: LET'S TALK

On January 3rd, two of the gang who attacked Stephen Lawrence were convicted of his brutal racially-motivated murder.

Despite the conviction, racism within institutions and society still blights us. Launched five years after the death of Stephen, the MacPherson Inquiry, exposed the institutional racism within the Metropolitan Police. The Inquiry also further exposed the racist culture and practices within other major institutions in the country.

The Inquiry’s 70 recommendations have gone some way to eliminate racist practices and culture within these institutions, however BME communities are still experiencing substantial issues of racism in terms of low pay, job cuts, unemployment, stop & search, DNA database, deaths in custody, harassment & bullying and discrimination.

BARAC Manchester are hosting an event to look at these issues on Monday 23rd January. Colette Williams, a graduate of OBV’s Women’s Councillor Shadowing Scheme and organiser of the event said,

I was struck by when Doreen Lawrence warned the police that they ‘should not use the guilty verdict outcome to sanitize themselves and that racism still continues’. As parents and bastions of this community, we need to take firm action and make a stand on such issues such as deaths in police custody, school exclusions and the wanton demonisation of black culture.

The event will take please on Monday 23rd January 2012, MCCR, Princess Road, Manchester from 6pm-8pm. For further information please contact Colette Williams - colettecwilliams@yahoo.co.uk